Richie & Emily
On Friday July 28 we were contacted by a locating agency to see if we were interested in talking to 2 African-American birthmothers. We were thrilled and set up a time to talk to them on Sunday the 30th. Right there on the phone we were announced to, and so we started doing all of the financial stuff needed. On Wed Aug 2 we were told mom had started contracting and that more ...
Ultrasound technology has changed pregnancy forever- and has helped many parents to be, rest a little bit easier at night. An ultrasound or sonogram works through the use of high-frequency sound waves. These sound waves penetrate the abdomen and then they bounce back to form an image of body parts. Doctor and patient can then see an image on a monitor- for diagnostic purposes. Depending on the situation, you may receive a level 1 or a level 2 ultrasound. A level 2 ultrasound is able to detect more intricate body parts- and can be used to check the functioning of the kidneys, heart, or to detect possible birth defects.
So when can a pregnant woman expect to get an ultrasound? A woman with a relatively low risk pregnancy can expect to receive on at around 8 weeks to date the pregnancy, and then another at around 18-20 weeks. This is usually a more detailed scan to check for birth defects and organ functioning. This is also the scan that can tell the parents to be whether they are expecting a girl or a boy. They may then receive a few when it gets closer to delivery to check for placenta location or size of the baby.
A woman that is considered high-risk for whatever reason may receive many more ultrasounds throughout her gestation. Many of these may be level 2 ultrasounds to look for potential problems.
No matter what the reason behind your ultrasound, most women look forward to having the opportunity to see their babies in real time. Many will even go to ultrasound studios to see their baby in 3-D splendor. It is a great way to bond with your baby, and is a lot of fun to watch!
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